Dr Eric Berg DC has revealed what he calls the “number one most powerful remedy in the world.” The health expert specialises in ketosis, a metabolic state in which the body uses fat for energy instead of glucose.
Ketosis is often seen as beneficial mainly because it encourages weight loss by making the body utilise fat for energy rather than carbohydrates. This process can lead to decreased appetite, better blood sugar and blood pressure regulation, and positive changes in cholesterol levels, especially for those with conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Taking to his YouTube channel, where he often uploaded educational videos about nutrition, he told his 13 million subscribers about the benefits of a common kitchen cupboard spice. Praising the ‘powers’ of turmeric, he said: “Let’s talk about the number one most powerful remedy in the world.
“Out of all the natural remedies that you can take this one has the most broadspectrum benefits. I’m not talking about vitamin D, we’re talking about a very powerful compound in turmeric called curcumin. There’s such a wide range of effects that curcumin can do to your body.”
Dr Berg says turmeric has countless health benefits and “should become a staple in your diet”. Here are some of the potential benefits of turmeric he mentions:
- Potent anti-inflammatory
- Powerful antioxidant
- May improve longevity
- Decreases inflammation in the brain
- Helps with neurodegeneration
- Increases the growth and survival of neurons
- Can inhibit beta-amyloid plaguing
- Protects the endothelial layer of the arteries
- Protects against oxidative LDL
- Decreases the risk of a fatty liver and an inflamed liver
- Stabilises blood sugar
- Speeds up wound healing
- Powerful antimicrobial effects
- Supports gut health
- Supports eye health
- Good for gut inflammation, bloating, and ulcers
- Good for allergies
- Good for eczema, psoriasis, and acne
- Binds with heavy metals to remove them from the body
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and could help you live longer:
While discussing the “number one” thing turmeric can do for your health, Dr Berg said it is one of the most potent anti-inflammatories available. “It inhibits five major enzymes (NF-kB, COX-2, LOX, INF-2 and IL-6) involved with inflammation – improving your arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, anything related to ‘itis’ and chronic inflammation, including inflammation in your gut.”
Dr Berg continued: “Number two. It’s a very powerful antioxidant, it can increase longevity.” Referencing a book called Deprenyl: The Anti-ageing Drug, Dr Berg said there is a compound in our bodies called MAO-B that “eats up certain neurotransmitters in the brain” and “can put you at risk of Alzheimer’s”.
However, Dr Berg says deprenyl is an inhibitor of MAO-B. “What you should know, is that curcumin is also an inhibitor of MAO-B. This is why curcumin helps anything related to brain degeneration.”
Sharing a study mentioned in the book, he said researchers injected mice, who were at an old age, three times a week with deprenyl and “there was a restoration of sex activity in these animals” and it “enabled them to live far longer than the control animals”.
The longest living mouse in the control group survived for 164 weeks. However, the longest surviving mouse from the deprenyl (and curcumin) group survived 226 weeks. The doctor commented: “That’s 56.5 months, if we correlated that over to human years, it’s 130 years old.”
Dr Berg also said the active compound in turmeric, curcumin, can also decrease neuroinflammation in your brain. “There are many chronic degenerative diseases that relate to the degeneration of your brain, which can affect your cognitive function, memory and mood.
“Curcumin also increases a compound called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). That is a compound that actually helps increase the growth and survival of neurons, a.k.a brain cells. Lower levels of BDNF were found in people that were depressed and have cognitive decline. There’s also some data to show that curcumin can help inhibit beta-amyloid plaguing, which is seen in Alzheimer’s.”
Tumeric is beneficial for heart health:
In terms of ways turmeric can benefit heart health, Dr Berg said it directly protects and helps the function of the inside layer of your artery called the endothelial layer. He said: “This is where a lot of things happen – the start of clotting, the start of plaquing in the arteries, the start of high blood pressure – curcumin protects that layer. Being a powerful anti-inflammatory, it can decrease scar tissue that can grow inside those arteries.”
Despite turmeric’s remarkable health benefits, Dr Berg says it does not get absorbed into your body easily. “One of the problems that people mention about cumin is its poor bioavailability.” However, if you take it with black pepper, “you’re going to get better absorption”, he said.
How to eat and drink turmeric:
To make turmeric tea, add one teaspoon of turmeric to boiling water and sip before bed. You can also add turmeric to hot milk to make golden milk or add it to a smoothie.
Dr Berg explained: “You can take a teaspoon, put it some boiling water, let it cool off and make a tea out of it and sip that before you go to bed.” There’s a popular drink from India called golden milk which involves mixing the spice with milk.
Dr Berg also says you can add turmeric to a smoothie or put it on your food. “What I like to do is make a curry out of it. Put it on chicken with other spices and consume that as your last meal of the day.”
Where to find turmeric and dosage:
Turmeric is available in most supermarkets in the herb and spices aisle. It can also be purchased in supplement form at many pharmacies and health retailers, such as Boots.
Dr Berg says you don’t need large amounts of turmeric. Studies indicate that taking between 500 and 2,000 mg of turmeric daily could offer various benefits, especially when using an extract. However, the precise dosage may vary based on the specific health issue being addressed, as there are no official guidelines for dosing.
According to Healthline, while there is no official consensus on effective turmeric or curcumin doses, the following have been used in research with promising results:
- For osteoarthritis: 500–1,500 mg of turmeric daily for 3 months.
- For itchy skin: 500 mg of turmeric three times daily for 2 months.
- For ulcerative colitis: 100–10,000 mg of turmeric extract daily.
Speak to your doctor first before making any drastic diet and lifestyle changes. Book an appointment with your GP to ensure certain over-the-counter supplements and food are fine for you to take, especially if you are being treated for a medical condition.
Although research on turmeric looks positive, it is not a miracle cure, and the best ways to steer clear of any chronic health conditions are to maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, limit alcohol, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, ditch processed food and exercise often.
Who should avoid turmeric?
Although turmeric is believed to be safe for most individuals, certain people may need to avoid it – particularly people on certain medications, such as blood thinners and diabetes medications. Speak to your doctor first as these conditions warrant extreme caution:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding – there is not enough research
- Gallbladder disease – turmeric may worsen symptoms
- Kidney stones – turmeric can bind with calcium and cause kidney stones formation
- Bleeding disorders – it may slow the ability of your blood to clot
- Diabetes – it could cause blood sugar levels to drop too low
- Iron deficiency – it could interfere with iron absorption
In research settings, doses as high as 12 grams per day have been administered briefly without showing any toxic effects. However, some side effects have been noted. The most frequently reported adverse effects are allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.